IT WAS a three hour wait for a taxi which inspired a Tadley dad to launch a new business.

Gary Squires moved to the town from Burnham three years ago, and said: “Where I used to live previously I could get a taxi within 10 minutes. When I moved here I called a local taxi company

who told me it was a three hour wait. I thought, I don’t want to wait three hours to go out. That’s where the idea came from.”

The 33-year-old father-of-two launched Tadley Cars Private Hire in May last May to serve the Tadley and Bramley area, which currently relies on taxis coming from Basingstoke.

He said: “There’s a high demand for taxis in this area. I see a lot of taxis from Basingstoke in this area but if people want a local lift, from the pub to home, a taxi service from Basingstoke would charge to come out. So we can keep the prices low.”

In December Gary took on another driver to serve the Bramley area, and has hopes of expanding further as the number of calls increase.

The pair use a mobile service so can answer calls from potential customers, wherever they are, at any time of the day.

Gary, who also sells magic tricks and ski equipment online, previously worked for Thames Water, and said he is enjoying his change in career, adding: “It’s good to meet local people and help them out. We are hoping to get busier for the two of us in the day time and evening and once we are busy we will get more drivers on board.”

For more information visit tadleycarsprivatehire.co.uk or call 01183274260.